Business, general

The effect of unions on productivity: U.S. surface mining of coal

Article Abstract:

A comparison is offered between the abilities of two analytical methods: mathematical programming and statistical regression. These techniques are applied to examination of union versus non-union productivity in the US coal mining industry. The programming approach offers the benefit of being non-parametric. The programming approach also makes it possible to have decomposition of productivity differentials into three parts: differences in scale efficiency, differences in congestion, and differences in technical efficiency. The econometric approach is inflexible and does not provide decomposition. The main benefit of the econometric approach is that in being stochastic, it permits the presence of measurement error and noise that affects most if not all empirical information.

Optimal timing of account audits in internal control

Article Abstract:

The least required frequency of certain audits that will meet the prespecified accuracy goals and that are related to a specific account are examined. The quality of the audit technique will be determined by the standard and mean deviations of the residual error that remains in the account following the performance of the audit and following the adjustment of accounts. The upper bounds or required frequency are calculated between audits through such formulas as easy to use, closed form, and lot-size type.

Author: Morey, Richard C., Dittman, David A.

Publisher:Institute for Operations Research and the Management SciencesPublication Name:Management ScienceSubject:Business, generalISSN:0025-1909Year:1986